Microsoft Redesigns OneDrive on the Web with New Features for Work and School: Fast, Organised, and Personalised.

There is no hesitation in saying that Microsoft tries to refresh the user experience in whatever service it provides. Among them, we have seen extreme integration between office suites. However, these are valuable things that everyone offers. In 2007, Microsoft launched a cloud-based storage service called OneDrive (formerly SkyDrive).

Undoubtedly, Microsoft OneDrive offers faster, more organized, and more straightforward navigation. However, if we look at today’s requirements, OneDrive needs more optimization to meet the deviation. Keeping that in mind, Microsoft announced on Tuesday a new design for OneDrive’s website to offer a more organized, faster, and easier way to use it. So, let us take a look at the entire announcement.

Microsoft Redesigns OneDrive on the Web with New Features

Google Drive’s inspiration, “OneDrive,” never considered downgrading or compromising the user experience. If you look at the initial version, it is already equipped with effortless collaboration, easy file sharing, up to 5 GB of free space, and is upgradeable with affordable pricing. Moreover, apart from the most critical aspect, “security,” it seems reliable as it has had millions of users’ trust for years.

OneDrive is a complete package to try. While such services support technology, they must be optimized to improve the user experience. Everyone needs to understand market trends and upgrade accordingly. Similar things were happening with OneDrive’s web version. To meet that need, Microsoft is redesigning its web interface. So, let us see what exactly has changed.

All New OneDrive Home

The significant change is on the ‘for you’ page compared to the previous design. The best part is that this “For You” AI-powered page is available for OneDrive Work and School users. The “For You” page uses AI recommendations to suggest time-sensitive and personalized files to users. So, ultimately, they do not have to worry about finding the file they have been working on recently. This new home page addition saves time. This one will also be available later this year, similar to some features.

View all shared files at once.

In the introductory paragraph, we mentioned that OneDrive offers effortless collaboration options. In the past, people had difficulty viewing the shared information they wanted to see in these collaboration features. Microsoft addresses this problem with the “New Shared Page,” where people can see all shared files in one place.

Rebuilt Sharing Dialogue

To improve the user experience, OneDrive users will get a new sharing dialogue box. We all know that OneDrive was previously seamlessly shared throughout Microsoft 365. However, earlier, the issue was that the sharing box needed to be more transparent so users would experience navigation problems. In the new design, OneDrive Web will get a cleaner look with the improved copy link feature. This feature will appear on OneDrive later this year.

Supports offline file usage

Later this year, OneDrive will support working with offline files, even with the web version. Previously, you could not edit or change any file without internet access. However, with the new OneDrive web design, you will get an option called “Available when offline.” This option will allow you to work on your files offline and update them whenever you are online.

Customized folder colours

Before this announcement, people requested customization, which was impossible earlier. Microsoft acknowledged that need and added new support. Later this year, OneDrive users can change folder colors however they want. Following this, you will see your favorite content and locate it in the assigned folder.

Filter your files by file type.

In OneDrive, users usually miss a feature that comes with Microsoft 365. Because of the plethora of files, they do not have the option to view a dedicated file type. Microsoft added a “Filter by file type” option to OneDrive to add more functionality. So you will not have to spend time hunting for your desired file. Click on the filter option in the recent files section, choose file type, and select the file type for which you want files.

Open non-Office files in-app.

Previously, you had to open another window to open non-Office files. However, with the newly designed OneDrive, you can open non-Office files within that window. Non-Office files mean. PDF, JPEG, MP4, and more. You should note that this is mentioned in the proposal plan and has yet to be available in OneDrive, SharePoint Web, or Microsoft Teams. This feature will be available later this year.

Apart from these significant changes, the OneDrive website offers the option to create file shortcuts and make favorites. Note here that creating file shortcuts will be available later this year, but make files your favorites this month. Furthermore, there are a few dedicated view pages, such as Meeting View (for all files shared during meetings) and People View (to view the list of people you collaborated with), and these will also come later this year. Also, remember that the Microsoft Teams Files app can view all the above features.

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